Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

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10 reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

Just an FYI...Aug. 20 2007

By
Kostya_2000
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

For those who have read a story by Card called "Space Boy" in the Escape from Earth anthology, yes, this is the exact same story. I exchanged emails with the publisher and they confirmed this, letting me know that the reason there are more pages in this version is due to a difference in print size and the addition of illustrations; there are no changes to the text of the story. So, if you're looking for a nicely bound, illustrated, stand-alone copy of Card's story to add to your collection, this is the one to purchase. Otherwise, if you're only interested in stories that you haven't already read, and you've already read the Escape from Earth anthology, you can skip this one.

P.S. If you're looking for the Escape from Earth anthology, there are a bunch of used copies right here for less than $5. The anthology is edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois, and the full title of the book is "Escape From Earth New Adventures in Space."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Great NovellaAug. 22 2007

By
G. E. Williams
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase

One of the down sides of being an author that has written some of the most beloved stories in a genre is the benchmark that you set for yourself. Is this another Seventh Son (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book 1)or ASIN:0765342294 Ender's Game]]? No it is not. It is a cute story, really YA sci-fi, is that a bad thing? No it is not. Another favorite author of mine, when asked how long a story should be replied, "As long as it needs to be". This is a good story that is exactly as long as it needs to be (I read it in about an hour).

I really liked this book and was surprised to find it signed by the author, because when I ordered it I was just excited to get a new OSC story. When I opened it I saw the price was for signed edition, and thought that was an extra plus. This is also a nicely bound edition making it a nice gift for any OSC fan.

This is a much lighter read than any other OSC I have read, it is just a fun little book, so enjoy!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

Intelligent, family friendly Sci-fi adventureSept. 23 2007

By
K. M. George
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

This is a great little book with adventure, a little bit of sci-fi, heaps of clever dialogue and a family that relies on each other, especially when it counts. It makes an ideal story to read out loud, in particular to boys 10 and up (if not younger). Fantastic story that treats boys as intelligent creatures!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Not what I expected of CardMay 2 2008

By
Shawn Smith
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

When I pick up an Orson Scott Card book, what I am usually expecting (and looking forward to) is thoroughly developed characters facing a complex (and probably morally ambiguous) situation . . . and probably some violence.

This story has just a touch of the last one and none at all of the first two. First off, this is substantially a short story and not a novel. It could easily be finished in an afternoon. My most significant problem with this book is that it has none of the exploration of character I've come to associate with Card. There's no hero I'd really like to meet nor villian who I find weirdly fascinating, despite disliking him. At its most basic level, this is really just a simple, adolescent adventure story.

This is not to say it's bad. As light entertainment for what libraries like to call "young adults" it works fine. But it's simply not the style of book most of Card's fans are used to.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

good SF intro for kidsFeb. 23 2008

By
blotter
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

It is short. It has pictures. It's a good gift for an 8 - 12 yearold boy. It's the kind of book that could start a lifelong interestin reading. It's not badly written either.